An electronic device may be configured to identify a load coupled to the device. The device may measure direct current (DC) and/or alternating current (AC) characteristics of the load to identify the load. The device may then take action based on the identification of the load. For example, a specific transducer may be identified as coupled to the electronic device and an appropriate equalization curve applied to an audio output of the device. The measurement of characteristics of the load may include controlling a reference generator according to a search algorithm, such as a step ramp or binary search, to identify the load. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) may operate through the search algorithm to provide feedback to digital circuitry regarding how to proceed through the search algorithm to identify the load.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An apparatus, comprising: a first output node configured to couple to a load; a first digital-to-analog converter (DAC) coupled to the first output node; sense circuitry coupled to the first output node; a reference generator; a second digital-to-analog converter (DAC) coupled to the reference generator; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the sense circuitry and coupled to the reference generator; and digital circuitry coupled to the first digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and coupled to the second digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and coupled to the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and configured to control at least one of the first digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and the second digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to identify the load.
An electronic device identifies a connected load by using a digital circuit connected to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) which outputs a signal to the load and also to a reference generator (which has its own DAC). Sense circuitry measures the load's response. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) receives input from the sense circuitry and from the reference generator. The digital circuitry controls the DACs to apply different signals and analyze the ADC output, to identify the load.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the digital circuitry is configured to identify the load based on a determined impedance of the load.
The electronic device from the previous description identifies the connected load by calculating its impedance. The digital circuitry uses the measured voltage and current (from the sense circuitry and DAC) to determine the load's impedance, and then identifies the load based on this calculated impedance.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the digital circuitry is configured to control at least one of the first digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and the second digital-to-analog converter (DAC) based on a search algorithm to identify the load.
The electronic device from the first description identifies the connected load by using a search algorithm to control at least one of the DACs. The digital circuitry adjusts the signal applied to the load and/or the reference generator (using DACs), following a specific search pattern, until the load is identified based on the sensed signal characteristics.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the search algorithm comprises a binary search.
The electronic device that identifies a connected load using a search algorithm, uses a binary search algorithm. The digital circuitry performs a binary search by repeatedly halving the possible range of signal values (voltage or current) applied to the load (using a DAC) or reference generator. The ADC provides feedback, and the algorithm converges on the load's characteristics for identification.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the search algorithm comprises a step ramp search.
The electronic device that identifies a connected load using a search algorithm, uses a step ramp search algorithm. The digital circuitry implements a step ramp search by incrementally increasing the signal applied to the load (using a DAC) or reference generator in discrete steps. The ADC provides feedback at each step, and the load's characteristics are determined by observing its response to each signal increment, leading to its identification.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the digital circuitry is configured: to operate the first digital-to-analog (DAC) to generate a direct current (DC) signal at the first output node, wherein the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is configured to generate an output digital signal based, at least in part, on a sensed value measured by the sense circuitry; to operate the second digital-to-analog (DAC) to generate, by the reference generator, a reference input for the analog-to-digital converter (ADC), wherein the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is configured to generate the output digital signal based, at least in part, on the reference input; and to monitor an output of the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to determine a DC impedance of the load.
The electronic device identifies a connected load by applying a DC signal to the load using a DAC, and measuring the resulting signal with sense circuitry, which feeds to an ADC. A second DAC controls a reference generator which also feeds to the ADC. The digital circuitry monitors the ADC output, using both the load's response to the DC signal and the reference generator's output, to determine the DC impedance of the load.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the load is a transducer for reproducing audio, and wherein the digital circuitry is configured to identify the transducer based, at least in part, on the determined DC impedance of the load.
The electronic device described previously identifies a connected audio transducer (speaker, headphones, etc.) by applying a DC signal, measuring the DC impedance, and then identifying the transducer based on its unique DC impedance characteristics. This allows the device to recognize the specific audio output device.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the digital circuitry is further configured: to operate the first digital-to-analog (DAC) to generate an alternating current (AC) signal at the first output node, wherein the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is configured to generate an output digital signal based, at least in part, on a sensed value measured by the sense circuitry; to operate the second digital-to-analog (DAC) to generate, by the reference generator, a reference input for the analog-to-digital converter (ADC), wherein the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is configured to generate the output digital signal based, at least in part, on the reference input; and to monitor an output of the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to determine an AC frequency response of the load.
The electronic device identifies a connected load by applying an AC signal to the load using a DAC, and measuring the resulting signal with sense circuitry, which feeds to an ADC. A second DAC controls a reference generator which also feeds to the ADC. The digital circuitry monitors the ADC output, using both the load's response to the AC signal and the reference generator's output, to determine the AC frequency response of the load.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the load is a transducer for reproducing audio, and wherein the digital circuitry is configured to identify the transducer based, at least in part, on the determined AC frequency response of the load.
The electronic device described previously identifies a connected audio transducer (speaker, headphones, etc.) by applying an AC signal, measuring the AC frequency response, and then identifying the transducer based on its unique frequency response characteristics. This allows the device to recognize the specific audio output device.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is configured to perform a load characteristic measurement during a first time period and is configured to provide an audio signal output to the first output node during a second time period.
The electronic device measures the connected load's characteristics for identification by applying a signal through a DAC during a first time period. After identifying the load, the same DAC is then used during a second time period to output a regular audio signal to the load (e.g., playing music). This reuses the DAC for both identification and normal operation.
11. An apparatus, comprising: digital circuitry configured to determine at least one characteristic of a load, wherein the digital circuitry is configured to perform the steps of: applying a first signal to a load using a first digital-to-analog controller (DAC); determining a characteristic of the load based on the applied first signal; applying a second signal to a reference generator using a second digital-to-analog controller (DAC); determining a characteristic of the reference generator in response to the applied second signal; comparing the determined characteristics of the load and of the reference generator; and identifying the load based on the compared characteristics of the load and of the reference generator.
An electronic device identifies a load by: applying a signal to the load using a first DAC; determining a characteristic of the load based on that signal; applying a signal to a reference generator using a second DAC; determining a characteristic of the reference generator; comparing the characteristics of the load and the reference generator; and identifying the load based on this comparison. This uses a reference to calibrate or normalize the load's measured characteristics.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising the step of adjusting at least one of the first signal and the second signal based on the comparing of the determined characteristics of the load and of the reference generator, wherein the step of identifying the load is based on the adjusting of the at least one of the first signal and the second signal.
The electronic device from the previous description identifies a load, and after comparing the characteristics of the load and reference generator, adjusts the signal applied to either the load or the reference generator using the respective DACs. The load identification is based on the adjusted signal and the resulting changes in the measured characteristics, forming a closed-loop identification process.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the digital circuitry is configured to apply a direct current (DC) signal from the first digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and to determine a DC impedance of the load to identify the load.
The electronic device from the previous description applies a DC signal to the load using a DAC, and then determines the DC impedance of the load to identify it. The digital circuitry uses the measured voltage and current (derived from the applied DC signal) to calculate the load's DC impedance, using this value to identify the load type.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the digital circuitry is further configured to perform steps comprising adjusting the second signal applied from the second digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to the reference load, wherein the adjustment comprises part of a search algorithm to identify the load.
The electronic device that identifies a load based on DC impedance, also adjusts the signal applied to the reference generator via a second DAC. This adjustment is part of a search algorithm designed to refine the load identification process, where the reference signal is modified to optimize the comparison between the load and the reference.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the search algorithm comprises a binary search.
The electronic device using a search algorithm to identify the load adjusts the reference signal using a binary search algorithm. The signal to the reference generator is repeatedly adjusted by halving the range of possible values, allowing the device to quickly converge on the optimal reference signal for comparing with the load characteristics to complete the identification.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the search algorithm comprises a step ramp search.
The electronic device using a search algorithm to identify the load adjusts the reference signal using a step ramp search algorithm. The signal to the reference generator is incrementally increased in discrete steps, allowing the device to observe the changes in the comparison with the load characteristics and refine the identification gradually.
17. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the digital circuitry is configured to control the first digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to apply an alternating current (AC) signal as the first signal to the load to determine an AC frequency response of the load.
The electronic device identifies a load by applying an AC signal to the load using a DAC, and then determining the AC frequency response of the load. The device sweeps through different AC frequencies, measuring the load's response at each frequency, and uses this frequency response data to identify the connected load.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the load is a transducer for reproducing audio, and wherein the controller is configured to identify the transducer based, at least in part, on the determined AC frequency response of the load.
The electronic device described previously identifies a connected audio transducer (speaker, headphones, etc.) by applying an AC signal, measuring the AC frequency response, and then identifying the transducer based on its unique frequency response characteristics. This allows the device to recognize the specific audio output device.
19. A method, comprising: applying a first signal to a load from a first digital-to-analog converter (DAC); determining a characteristic of the load based on the applied first signal; applying a second signal to a reference generator from a second digital-to-analog converter (DAC); determining a characteristic of the reference generator in response to the applied second signal; comparing the determined characteristics of the load and of the reference generator; and identifying the load based on the compared characteristics of the load and of the reference generator.
An electronic method identifies a load by: applying a signal to the load from a first DAC; determining a characteristic of the load based on that signal; applying a signal to a reference generator from a second DAC; determining a characteristic of the reference generator; comparing the characteristics of the load and the reference generator; and identifying the load based on this comparison. This uses a reference to calibrate or normalize the load's measured characteristics.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising the step of adjusting at least one of the first signal and the second signal based on the comparing of the determined characteristics of the load and of the reference generator, wherein the step of identifying the load is based on the adjusting of the at least one of the first signal and the second signal.
The method from the previous description identifies a load, and after comparing the characteristics of the load and reference generator, adjusts the signal applied to either the load or the reference generator using the respective DACs. The load identification is based on the adjusted signal and the resulting changes in the measured characteristics, forming a closed-loop identification process.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the step of applying the first signal comprises applying a direct current (DC) signal from the first digital-to-analog converter (DAC), wherein the step of identifying the load comprises determining a DC impedance of the load to identify the load.
The method from the previous description identifies a load by applying a DC signal to the load using a DAC, and then determines the DC impedance of the load to identify it. The load's DC impedance, derived from the applied DC signal, is used as the primary identifier.
22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising adjusting the second signal applied from the second digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to the reference load, wherein the adjusting comprises part of a search algorithm to identify the load.
The method that identifies a load based on DC impedance also adjusts the signal applied to the reference generator via a second DAC. This adjustment is part of a search algorithm designed to refine the load identification process, where the reference signal is modified to optimize the comparison between the load and the reference.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the search algorithm comprises a binary search.
The method using a search algorithm to identify the load adjusts the reference signal using a binary search algorithm. The signal to the reference generator is repeatedly adjusted by halving the range of possible values, allowing the method to quickly converge on the optimal reference signal for comparing with the load characteristics to complete the identification.
24. The method of claim 22 , wherein the search algorithm comprises a step ramp search.
The method using a search algorithm to identify the load adjusts the reference signal using a step ramp search algorithm. The signal to the reference generator is incrementally increased in discrete steps, allowing the method to observe the changes in the comparison with the load characteristics and refine the identification gradually.
25. The method of claim 19 , wherein the step of applying the first signal comprises applying an alternating current (AC) signal from the first digital-to-analog converter (DAC), wherein the step of identifying the load comprises determining an AC frequency response of the load to identify the load.
The method identifies a load by applying an AC signal to the load from a DAC, and then determining the AC frequency response of the load. The method sweeps through different AC frequencies, measuring the load's response at each frequency, and uses this frequency response data to identify the connected load.
26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the load is a transducer for reproducing audio, and wherein the step of identifying the transducer is based, at least in part, on the determined AC frequency response of the load, and wherein the method further comprises adjusting an output to the transducer based, at least in part, on an identification of the transducer.
The method described previously identifies a connected audio transducer (speaker, headphones, etc.) by applying an AC signal, measuring the AC frequency response, and then identifying the transducer based on its unique frequency response characteristics. Once identified, the method adjusts the audio output signal to optimize performance for that specific transducer.
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April 14, 2016
October 24, 2017
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